The Agonist’s Alissa White-Gluz on Being Vegan and Her Work With peta2

Canadian melodic death-metallers The Agonist have spent the last few months either in a recording studio working on their next album, or on the road touring in support of their new 'The Escape' EP. Signed to Century Media, the hard-working quartet have dedicated themselves to their music, but one thing The Agonist vocalist Alissa White-Gluz is equally passionate about is animal rights.

"I was actually raised a vegetarian and I became a vegan about 13 years ago. So it's second nature for me to live this lifestyle. The animal rights cause is something close to my heart and something I truly believe in," White-Gluz tells Noisecreep.

She has been a spokesperson for peta2 for the past few years and was named "Sexiest Female Vegatarian' by the organization, beating out beauties like Olivia Wilde, Anne Hathaway and Natalie Portman. But it's the organization's often dangerous work that fuels White-Gluz's dedication to the cause. "It's not something I always necessarily enjoy since a lot of the work involves learning about all of the malpractice and animal cruelty happening and trying to stop it. But it's something that I'll do because I love seeing advancements in the field," says a passionate White-Gluz.

Noisecreep asked the vocalist how she first got involved with the animal rights movement.

"When I was in high school, I started organizing fundraisers, and other events, for people like PETA and Greenpeace. Since PETA has more of a youth-oriented division called peta2, I started working a lot more with them as of late. A lot of the work is already done, so all I really have to do is raise awareness for their campaigns. It's the least I can do to help since I'm passionate about the work PETA and PETA2 is doing."

Watch Alissa White-Gluz's peta2 Video

White-Gluz's family has been a huge inspiration for her. "My parents, along with my brother and sister, are vegetarians. I wasn't raised in any way where I was forced to be a vegetarian too. I always had the choice. My mom would say, "I don't eat the stuff, so I won't cook it, but if you want to eat it, you can. Let me tell you why I don't eat it." So she was open about it.

"From a young age, I learned what a non-vegetarian diet entails. I made the decision early on that I was going to stick to the lifestyle. It's easier to stick with something like that than change it, if you've always done it. I'm grateful that my parents were open-minded with me."

The Agonist's 'The Escape' EP is available now via Century Media mailorder.